Laing O’Rourke has joined an international consortium seeking to deliver a fleet of 14 small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) across three sites in the UK as part of a major privately funded nuclear power programme.
Warsaw-based developer SGE has submitted its proposal under the Government’s Advanced Nuclear Framework for a 4.2GW programme based on GE Vernova Hitachi’s BWRX-300 reactor technology.
If approved, the development would represent the UK’s largest privately financed nuclear investment. The consortium estimates the completed fleet could generate enough electricity to supply around 11% of the UK’s electricity demand, equivalent to almost eight million homes.
The consortium brings together GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Samsung C&T, Laing O’Rourke, Aecon, Google Cloud, Fermi Development and Etara.
Although no preferred locations have been announced, the proposal envisages construction beginning with a six-reactor power station, followed by two additional multi-unit sites. The partners say adopting a repeatable fleet-build approach would reduce costs, improve productivity and accelerate project delivery.
Laing O’Rourke will contribute its industrialised construction capabilities and advanced manufacturing expertise, drawing on experience gained through major infrastructure and nuclear projects to enhance safety, productivity and programme certainty.
The BWRX-300 reactor design completed Step 2 of the UK’s Generic Design Assessment in December 2025. The technology is also progressing internationally, with the first BWRX-300 currently under construction at the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Canada.
SGE expects the proposal to enter the Government’s Advanced Nuclear Pipeline later this year. Under its proposed timetable, site selection and negotiations over government support would be completed during the first half of 2027, with major investment, licensing activities and site preparation beginning around a year later.
The consortium is targeting commercial operation of the first reactor in 2034.
